Court Hears Murder Suspect Viewed Shooting Videos

Testimony in court revealed that an individual facing a murder charge viewed a YouTube video depicting a ballistic gel replica of a human head being shot. Finlay MacDonald, aged 41, is accused of shooting his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, 47, at MacKinnon’s residence on Skye on August 10, 2022. Furthermore, on that date, he stands accused of attempted murder against three additional individuals, one of whom is his wife. MacDonald refutes all accusations and has presented a specific defense against the murder charge, asserting that he was experiencing an “abnormality of mind.” At the High Court in Edinburgh, the jury was informed that police analysts uncovered searches on MacDonald’s laptop related to “Mossberg shotguns for sale.” A receipt indicating the purchase of five knives was also found, bearing Finlay MacDonald’s billing address. Cybercrime experts identified searches on his laptop for phrases such as “how a pump shotgun works” and “loading and shooting pump action shotgun.” Shane Westerman, a friend, testified in court that MacDonald had shown him a video titled “Mossberg 410 v ballistic gel human head.” Mr. Westerman recounted his impression that MacDonald had been “watching too many cowboy films” after MacDonald informed him of his intent to “sort out” an osteopath and depart “in a blaze of glory.” He stated that MacDonald had sought medical attention from Mr. MacKenzie, a retired osteopath, but upon his return, MacDonald “did seem a little bit worse than he had been.” Mr. Westerman further added: “I tried so hard to help him, asking him to go get help numerous times for his mental condition. He would constantly say to myself ‘you are lucky, you have got a wife and kids’.” The two individuals became acquainted when Mr. Westerman, 58, relocated to Skye from Yorkshire in 2020 and encountered MacDonald, who was constructing a residence on adjacent property. MacDonald faces charges of murdering his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, at MacKinnon’s home in the village of Teangue, Skye, by repeatedly firing a shotgun at him. Earlier court proceedings revealed that MacDonald experienced humiliation and diminished self-esteem following an assault by Mr. MacKinnon in 2013. On the identical date, MacDonald is also accused of attempting to murder his wife, Rowena, 34, at their family residence in the village of Tarskavaig on Skye, by repeatedly stabbing her on the body. Additionally, he is charged with the attempted murder of John MacKenzie and his wife, Fay, both 65, at their home in Dornie, Ross-shire, by repeatedly discharging a shotgun at them. MacDonald has entered a plea of not guilty to all accusations. The trial, presided over by Judge Lady Drummond, is ongoing.